Waste collection in Middlewich consultation

Residents in Middlewich are being urged to have their say on plans to change bin collection routes and times.

Cheshire East Council wants to save £600,000 by making its collection routes ‘more efficient’ – with a reduction in the number of bin lorries needed, and by using them for longer hours.

Middlewich councillor Dave Latham believes it is ‘imperative’ residents take part in the local authority’s consultation on changing Ansa’s bin collections – which could see new routes and Saturday collections introduced.

With Cledford Lane being home to Ansa’s environmental hub, he fears an increase in vehicle movements around town as a result of the planned changes.

“It is imperative that the people of Middlewich do get involved in this consultation on the waste reorganisation because it is going to affect every household,” he said.

“It is really, really serious because this is going to have a big impact on the collection times and when we do see the lorries going around town.”

Cheshire East is set to open a food waste recycling plant in Leighton next year, and councillor Latham is concerned that this could bring even more bin lorries through Middlewich – as they move from Cledford Lane, out to collections across Cheshire East, down to Leighton and back to the hub.

Councillor Jonathan Parry, Labour member of Middlewich Town Council, suggested that could damage air quality.

“If they are planning to put more highly polluting vehicles on to Middlewich’s roads then there are going to be health issues,” he said.

“The local authority should be doing everything it can to improve air quality. This is not going to help at all.”

Changes to collections will be made next autumn if approved following consultation.

Councillor Glen Williams, CEC deputy cabinet member responsible for waste and recycling, said: “The consultation runs until January 7, 2019, and we welcome the views and suggestions from residents and organisations across Cheshire East.

“These responses can be very useful and will help us to shape future services and provision. Once decisions are made, these will be made public – and planning permission conditions will be carefully followed and maintained by the refuse collectors.

“We can reassure residents that no changes will be made that contravene any of the planning conditions in place.”